(Gary O/Facebook)

By paNOW Staff

‘Crushed, shocked, sad’: saying farewell to musician Gary O

May 17, 2023 | 11:00 AM

Condolences and tributes are pouring in for a well-respected member of Prince Albert’s music community.

On Tuesday afternoon, news spread that P.A.’s Gary Ostafichuk had passed away.

Within minutes, fans and friends of the musician and teacher shared their disbelief at hearing the news and remembered Gary as a talented and passionate performer.

“What can I say that hasn’t already been said,” said one Facebook post. “You truly were a champion for everyone in the music world and were always the first to say ‘sure, we can do that’. I’ll never forget that laugh, your zest for life willingness to help everyone, and of course your signature.”

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“Gary was a rockstar and loved what he did,” said Gord Vaadeland. “He was everyone else’s biggest cheerleader too. His passing leaves a big hole in our music community and he’ll be missed.”

Local musicians Taya Lebel and Sheryl Kimbley also shared their best memories of Gary on social media.

“I will never forget Gary helping me record some audition videos in his studio last year and the countless shows I was lucky to share the stage with him for,” said Lebel.

“Wherever you are, however we met, however long it’s been since we spoke…I love you,” added Kimbley.

“The music community is reeling from the loss of an amazing talent and human being. We just always thought he’d always be there. Losses like this shock us but let it not be In vain.

One of the many organizations Gary worked with and performed with was the Prince Albert Raiders.

Raiders’ Executive Director of Business Operations Cliff Mapes said he’s still lost for words on hearing about his passing.

“Crushed, shocked, sad. Just brutal news for us to hear,” he said. “His passion for music was right off the charts and his energy, you just wanted to be around him.”

“Our community is going to miss him, he was a hard-working guy, he loved that live music scene. He worked hard, Wednesday nights at PABCO and the other stuff he did around town,” he added.

He said one of his favourite memories was in 2019 when he performed the national anthem and played a tribute to then-Raider, Ozzy Wiesblatt, performing Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train.

Gary also worked as a technician for the EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts said he was a rare, immense talent that could quietly absorb what was around him.

“If you were lucky enough to see him perform, his skill didn’t come as a surprise, either. If you’d ever talked music with him, it was obvious that it was his passion,” the statement reads.

Gary and his band, the Gary O Experiment were regular performers at the Prince Albert Brewing Company (PABCO).

The band said on its Facebook page that the family is requesting privacy at this time.

A funeral service will be held at St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church in Wakaw on May 23, 2023 at 11:00 am

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow